Belton unveils plans for annexation along I-35

Belton is preparing for growth along I-35 south of Highway 190. They city unveiled plans for annexation of properties along I-35.

First, the Belton city council set a Nov. 22 public hearing on $9.7 million in certificates of obligations for the construction of an elevated water tank and trunk sewer and water lines. The City of Belton has already allocated $345,081 in the 2016-17 fiscal budget to pay for the debt service on the proposed $9.7 million in certificates of obligation.

The C.O.s will pay for the extension of sewer trunk lines south of the Expo center along I-35 both sides of I-35 and to serve the Miller Heights area.

City manager Sam Listi reminded council members that the C.O.s would be repaid by income from water and sewer customers, not from an increase in property debt service taxes.

The city council also conducted public hearings on the annexation of seven areas of land, including areas north of the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the Village of Salado. The hearings were held Oct. 25 and Nov. 1.

Prior to opening the public hearing portion of the meeting, Listi told the council that Belton is looking at annexing along I-35 because of the “potential for development there.”

Listi spoke about the impact of the expansion of I-35 through Belton and the potential for commercial growth along the I-35 corridor.

He explained to the council about the level of municipal services that must be provided to the newly annexed areas.

Maps of the proposed annexation areas can be found online with this story at saladovillagevoice.com. The proposed areas are these:

Area 1: Approximately 716.44 acres located on the east side of I-35, along and south of Decker Road. The tract extends southward to the Lampasas River, and extends along the river to the south and southeast, connecting to existing city limits, east of Toll Bridge Road.

Area 2: Approximately 198.69 acres located on the east side of I-35, between the east/west portion of the Lampasas River and Elmer King Road.

Annexation map of areas 3 and 4. Click to enlarge.

Area 3: Approximately 250.14 acres located south of the intersection of I-35 and the Lampasas River. The tract extends along the west side of I-35, measuring approximately 1,000’ in width, and would add 1,000’ additional on the west side of I-35 to the current 1,000’ total city limit width centered on I-35. The tract extends southward along I-35 south of Amity Road, and adjoins the Salado ETJ line.

Area 4: Approximately 297.20 acres located south of the intersection of I-35 and the Lampasas River. The tract extends along the east side of I-35, measuring approximately 1,000’ in width, and would add 1,000 additional feet to the current 1,000’ total city limit width centered on I-35. The tract extends southward along I-35 south of Amity Road, and adjoins the Salado ETJ line.

Area 5: Approximately 228.27 acres located along and north of Sparta Road and west of the existing city limits, extending west to FM 439, and east along Sparta Road to the city limits.

Area 6: Approximately 24.10 acres located generally along the proposed north/south alignment of Lake-to-Lake Road, north of Sendero Estates Subdivision, and south of FM 93.

Area 7: Approximately 2.713 acres located on the south side of Avenue O, between Avenue O and Old Golf Course Road.

The City also announced the Municipal Services Plan for each of the proposed annexation areas, varying depending upon factors including topography and current and future infrastructure.

For all of the areas proposed for annexation, the City of Belton will provide the following services immediately upon the final annexation:

• Police protection

• Animal control

• Fire and Emergency Medical Service Protection.

• Code Enforcement

• Fire Prevention

• Planning, Zoning and Development Review

• Library servies

• Parks and Recreation

• Streets and Drainage “at their current or better level of improvement with like topography, land use and desnity as those found within the City. Private streets are not maintained by the City.”

• Santiation and recycling. “Residents in the newly annexed area may select to continue service with their current ervice provider for up to two years or switch to they City’s service. After the second annivarsary, the City will provide the service at City rates.

• Brush collection services.

• Environmenal health ordinance will go into effect.

The City commits to the following Capital Improvements within 2-1/2 years of annexation for the areas to be served:

• Trunk Sewer Line: for placement along the east side of I-35 north of the study area. “This trunk line will be available for extension to developing properties in the same manner as they are available to other locations in the City in accordance with City extension policies. Line construction is scheduled to begin in 2017 and services will be available by June 30, 2019.

• Other Water/Wastewater Facilities: A 1 million gallon elevated water storage tank is planned in Northwest Belton. It will enhance water services throughout the city.

The annexation municipal services plan states that “On-site sewerage systems may be maintained” in the annexed areas.

During discussion of the annexation plans, Listi said that the City is making “substantial public investment” in infrastructure to prepare for the expected growth in development in the annexation areas.

The City will also enter into annexation agreements with owners whose properties are undeveloped and used for agricultural purposes. These annexation agreements bind the City to not annex the property as long as they area maintained at their current status. Once the property is subdivided or developed, it immediately becomes eligible for annexation during the terms of five or 10 years, depending upon the agreements.

One property owner in Area 3 spoke about the annexation. Mark Brister said that part of his property was annexed by Belton in 2004 and that the new annexation would take the rest of his property into the city limits. “What kind of services can I expect to have afforded to me?” he asked. “Right now, more than 10 years after being annexed by Belton, I still have no water service and no sewer service.”